The Leopard 2E is a variant of The Leopard 2A6 tailored to fit the requirements of the Spanish Army. After the failed Lince Tank program with Spain, a deal was made to sell 108 Leopard 2A4s for a 'Gap filler'. The 2E replaced Spain's M60 MBTs in the army. The 2E has thicker armor on the Turret and Glacis plate than what the German 2A6 Model has. The 2E is to be in service until 2025. Spain operates a total of 220 Leopard 2Es

The Lince (Lynx) was a development that came into development in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was meant to replace Spain's M47 and M48 Tank Fleets but to complement the AMX-30E. The Lynx was to use the Rheinmetall 120mm tank gun and Composite Armour from the German Leopard 2A4. Because of the cancellation of the Lynx Spain ordered 108 Leopard 2A4s as a "gap filler"